ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Anthony Vanden Borre

As an FM addict, this piece of news caught my attention today about Portsmouth signing Anthony Vanden Borre: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/8199966.stm

Back in FM07 and I believe FM06, this guy was an absolute legend, but also he was classed as a wonderkid in real life as well. He was really highly regarded in Belgian after making his international debut at 16. After making a number of appearances for Anderlecht, he made a big move to Serie A with Fiorentina, which never really worked out. He moved Genoa last year and played regularly for them.

After hearing the news today, I thought that we missed out on a typical textbook Moyes signing. He is young, had huge potential and has slightly lost his way in terms of his career presently. We have seen Moyes turn Arteta & Pienaar, both coming from similar circumstances into some of the top players in England. Also another similarity is Vanden Borre is on the classic Everton loan-to-buy option with Pompey. The main reason that I think we are missing something here is the position he plays, RB & RM. Now tell me if I'm wrong, Isn't this our problem area, with a lack of quality and numbers there?

Moyes may have looked at him, and not fancied him coming to us, but......... doesn't the season start tomorrow, and we haven't signed anyone and we are desperate for players.
Kristian Boyce, Pasco, WA, USA Posted 14/08/2009 at 01:45:37

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Peter Griffin
1 Posted 14/08/2009 at 12:08:39

I can see your point Kristian but I’m sure the lad's agent will have contacted EFC as well as all the other clubs and DM obviously didn’t fancy him, for one reason or another. He may have even asked Felli about him? I’d imagine if we wanted him he would have joined us over Pompey.

Phil Roberts
2 Posted 14/08/2009 at 12:57:16

Desparate for players??

So tomorrow's team is the one that started the Cup Final and on the bench will be Jo, Rodwell, Gosling and Vaughan. On the treatment table is Yakubu, Anichebe, Arteta and Jagielka. Add to that Nash as a goalie. Then there the youngsters in Baxter, Wallace and Agard. I make that 12 in total. How many do we need? Add in Senderos and Taylor and Elm (if we got them all) and we will have players sitting around doing nothing. Or just playing in the Carling Cup.

Sorry this is not a doom and gloom post — oh wait a minute — the players mentioned are not all world class so yes we are short of players.

Anthony Doran
3 Posted 14/08/2009 at 13:32:03

He would be a good signing but that's only if FM actually resembles anything like real life footy.... which it does not!

Nick Xenos
4 Posted 14/08/2009 at 13:23:15

If you want a right-sided player that fits the Moyes mould perfectly, it’s Australian Rhys Williams. He is currently at Middlesbrough but was loaned out to Burnley last season and played 17 games for them. His had some trouble with injuries but seems to be over those now. He recently became a fully fledged Australian international, despite representing Wales at U21 level, earning his second full cap yesterday in a friendly against Ireland. He put in a strong performance in said game, looking assured on the ball and quite nimble for someone with a 6ft+ frame. He showed good athleticism and anticipation to play a part in the 2nd of Australia’s three goals, intercepting a bouncing clearance and driving into the penalty area before unleashing a left foot thunderbolt that Given could only parry into the path of our Timmy...the rest is history. Quite impressive for someone making only his second appearance for his country. At 21, there’s a lot of upside in this fella and with the World Cup around the corner...this boy’s value will multiply infinitely. Plenty of upside in this guy! ps. I’m not the boy’s manager! :)

Nick Xenos
5 Posted 14/08/2009 at 13:38:42

Forgot to mention that he can slot in at anywhere on the right side and middle of the defence/midfield. So far, he has impressed in the right back position for Australia.

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